ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board has recalled left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi from the ongoing Big Bash League 15 after he sustained an “unexpected injury” during Brisbane Heat’s match against the Adelaide Strikers on Saturday.
Confirming the development on social media platform X, Shaheen thanked the BBL management, his franchise and fans for their support during his debut season. He said he had been called back by the PCB for rehabilitation and expressed hope of returning to competitive cricket soon.
Shaheen played four matches in this year’s BBL, managing to take two wickets at an economy rate of 11.19. The 25-year-old is also not part of Pakistan’s T20I squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. He and former captain Babar Azam were excluded from the refreshed squad due to their commitments in BBL 15.
Pakistan is scheduled to play three T20Is against Sri Lanka, followed by a home series against Australia later in January as part of preparations for the T20 World Cup 2025, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, the nature and extent of Shaheen’s knee injury have raised concerns over his long-term fitness, with questions emerging about his availability for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, set to begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.
